1. Why should I convert my videotapes?
2. How does Raven Multimedia differ from other
video transfer providers?
3. How long will my order take?
4. How is your 8mm film transfer different from other
providers?
5. How do I pay for my order?
6. Is there anything you won't accept for
transfer?
7. Why does your LP/Cassette to CD transfer cost more
than if I just bought the CD in the store?
8. You mention "generic music" on both your Film transfer
and Picture transfer pages. How can I find out what it sounds like?
Why should I convert my videotapes?
The answer depends partially on what type of videotape you have right now.
If you have Video8, Hi8, or Digital 8 tapes you probably want to convert your tape
to a more "common" format so you can share them (a lot of people have an 8mm camcorder, but
not the player). However, even if you currently have VHS or S-VHS tapes, you'll still want to
consider conversion because all videotapes record their image on magnetic tape
which degrades over time. Converting to DVD helps to preserve your
memories far beyond the average life of a videotape!
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How does Raven Multimedia differ from other
video transfer providers?
We've seen
what others offer and we genuinely want to provide you with "more bang for your
buck". At Raven Multimedia our "basic" service is almost
always better than the offerings of other transfer services. One
example- with many companies you only get "chapter marks" on the final DVD
"every 5 minutes" regardless of the content. We
place our chapter marks based on the content of the video,
which means chapter lengths that may vary greatly but "make sense" and are
actually useful.
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How long will my order take?
It's hard to say for certain, this is very dependent on the
type and size of the order; however, only the very
largest orders should take more than 2 work weeks from the time we receive
them to the time they're sent back to you.
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How is your 8mm film transfer different from other
providers?
For one thing, many companies will transfer your movie without ever
checking it for damaged or blank areas. We leave these sections of the
original film out of the final video (unless you instruct us otherwise)
and charge you ONLY for the actual footage transferred!
A great many of the film transfer services available on the internet use the
"chain" transfer technique. Although there are many variations, this
basically is nothing more than projecting the film on a screen and recording the
image with a camcorder. Most transfers done this way will have visible flickering and
will cut off some of the original frame. We use a frame-by-frame capture
technique that is totally flicker-free and captures the entire frame.
In fact, since we're essentially taking a picture of the surface of the original
film, the resulting digital video may be sharper than you've ever seen it!
However, it is important to note that this technique does take
longer than chain transfers (about 4 times as long), but it is definitely worth
the wait.
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How do I pay for my order?
Orders can be paid for in Check (may delay delivery), Money Order, or Credit
Card (online via PayPal. You do not need to be a PayPal
member, and your order IS secure; even we don't see your
credit card information). For more details, see
How to Order Services...
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Is there anything you won't accept for
transfer?
There are two basic categories of original that we won't accept for
transfer- "adult" and copyrighted. If you have home movies of your baby's
first bath, we'll be happy to help you preserve those memories; but we are
a God-fearing, law-abiding company and will not work with anything that can be
reasonably construed as pornography. {Any pornographic originals sent to us will be destroyed, so
don't bother sending them!} For the same reasons we will not make a DVD
version of a copyrighted videotape or transfer a copyrighted film (rare in 8mm
format anyway) to DVD or videotape. We do not make copies of copyrighted CDs and will
transfer tapes and records only if a simple internet search
shows that the original in question isn't sold in CD format. This is
actually to your advantage, as the CD that the originating company sells
is probably cheaper than what we can
make for you!
It is important to remind you that although Raven Multimedia will fix minor problems with the original tape or film (such as worn out splices), we will charge you extra for repairs to badly damaged originals (if they can be repaired at all) so it is in your own best interests to NOT send them to us in the first place. There are good companies that specialize in "restoration," and you should consider them instead. (top)
Why does your LP/Tape to CD transfer cost more
than if I just bought the CD in the store?
First, and foremost, records and even cassette tapes are considered "old"
formats and many of the things found on them are not available in CD format.
Second, one of the options that we offer that you don't get with "store bought"
is customer selected sequence. However, the bottom line is- if you can
find your record or tape on a CD in a store, buy it! It's been produced by
people with a whole lot more money, and fancier equipment, than us and (despite
our best efforts) will be a "better deal"!
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You mention "generic music" on both your Film transfer
and Picture transfer pages. How can I find out what it sounds like?
Our "generic music" is all instrumental, no vocals, and is licensed from
Hi-Top Productions and is part of Steve Hansen's TracksNow music library.
Samples of all the styles available can be found on the TracksNow website at
http://www.tracksnow.com. You are
encouraged to listen to these samples prior to filling out the worksheet for
your Film or Picture transfers.
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